Events

The Teaching and Learning Center highlights special events at FSW that support community engagement and promote learning opportunities in support of the College’s Mission and Strategic Direction to create a culture focused on inclusion and continuous improvement.

Faculty Institutes, Symposiums and Retreats

  • Summer Faculty Institutes (Special Topics): Full-time and adjunct faculty are invited to engage in a series of theme-based workshops that focus on best practices in teaching and learning. Examples include:

    • Online and Remote Teaching and Learning for Equity and Resilience
    • Transitioning to Online Remote Teaching and Learning
  • Cornerstone Institute: Each year, faculty and staff have the opportunity to become certified to teach SLS 1515, the Cornerstone Experience course, through the completion of five training modules.
  • Annual Adjunct Faculty Institute: FSW welcomes adjunct faculty to each new academic year with opportunities to engage in theme-based professional development sessions and to connect with FSW faculty, academic leadership, and peers.
  • Southwest Florida Symposium on Teaching and Learning: An annual symposium for higher education faculty in southwest Florida organized by FSW’s Teaching and Learning Center in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Lucas Center.
  • Biannual Research Expo: FSW faculty and student research is highlighted through oral and poster presentations. The event closes with a featured lecture that encourages deeper engagement with the FSW community on the research going on at the College.
  • Biennial Education for New Humanity Colloquium: The Department of Humanities and Fine Arts proudly supports this event designed to foster meaningful encounters with art and ideas, as our school and community join together in discussion over challenging topics.
  • Biannual Symposium: Each semester colleagues gather to engage in a lively, theme-based exchange of ideas while enjoying food and libations.
  • Spirit “Ed” Conversations: Build camaraderie and engage in scintillating conversation to promote transdisciplinary discussions on topics of interest to faculty in higher education while enjoying beverages and appetizers.
  • Train-the-Trainer Institute: Learn how to turn great presentations and lectures into effective workshops to engage participants in experiential learning activities to achieve workshop objectives. FSW is committed to supporting faculty development by enhancing the training and facilitation skills of all presenters.
  • New Faculty Seminar Retreat: Each Fall, New Faculty Seminar participants meet off campus for an overnight retreat. Faculty engage in seminar presentations over a two-day period and enjoy excursions in the Naples-Fort Myers area, while building camaraderie amongst fellow colleagues.
  • Dean & Chair Retreat: The Annual Dean and Chair retreat brings together members of FSW’s Academic Leadership team to identify faculty development initiatives.

Faculty Professional Development Days

Each Fall and Spring, the days preceding the first day of classes are set aside for Faculty Professional Development Days to welcome returning and new faculty to the new semester. Faculty are invited to connect with their colleagues and the FSW community through a series of professional development offerings, welcome week videos, and academic meetings.

Other Annual Programs and Opportunities for Engagement

  • Annual Digital Pedagogy Open House: An event designed to be a fun, open, and engaging finish to the academic year. Participants choose from sessions that showcase the work of FSW professors from unique disciplines to highlight how technology is being used to inspire students across the college. Computers will be provided so that attendees can pilot the technology that they are being introduced to and refreshments will be provided to create a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere as we close the semester.
  • Open Education Week: FSW celebrates Open Education Week by offering workshops, panel discussions, and actively sharing resources to encourage use of open educational resources to support student success and access to instructional materials.
  • International Education Week: FSW celebrates International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, by offering opportunities for faculty, students and staff to engage in performances, attend seminars, present research, learn about study abroad at FSW, participate in contests and other activities that encourage our community to think critically, celebrate and explore the diverse world we share.
  • Faculty Retirement Celebration: Supported by the Teaching and Learning Center, retirement receptions allow faculty and staff to honor and recognize the service of FSW faculty members during a dinner and ceremony at the end of the academic year.
  • FSW Publisher’s Forum: Representatives from publishing companies along with FSW faculty and Follet bookstore staff will be available to discuss textbooks, course materials and instructional tools for faculty; to address how library staff may provide support in locating open education resources; and to explain FSW’s course materials adoption policy.